Customs say they have disrupted a tobacco smuggling ring after they executed search and seizure warrants in Perth.Investigations began on December 19 when Customs officers at the Fremantle Container Examination Facility selected a container from the United Arab Emirates for inspection.When officers unpacked the container they detected 24kg of undeclared molasses-flavoured tobacco.The tobacco was found in six boxes labelled as tomato paste and randomly distributed throughout the cargo container. Each box contained eight 500g satchels of the tobacco.Customs investigators then carried out search and seizure warrants in Malaga, Marangaroo and Mirrabooka where they found another 16kg of flavoured tobacco.Customs National Manager of Investigations Richard Janeczko said he believed this was a "brazen attempt" to avoid paying more than $20,000 in legitimate Commonwealth revenue.
"In addition to the evasion of duty, tobacco that has been illegally imported is unlikely to meet the strict health and hygiene standards of tobacco products that are legally imported into the country," he said."Charges are expected to be laid by summons against those who are responsible for this importation."Customs said the maximum penalty for this type of offence is 10 years' imprisonment and-or a fine of $275,000.
"In addition to the evasion of duty, tobacco that has been illegally imported is unlikely to meet the strict health and hygiene standards of tobacco products that are legally imported into the country," he said."Charges are expected to be laid by summons against those who are responsible for this importation."Customs said the maximum penalty for this type of offence is 10 years' imprisonment and-or a fine of $275,000.
